Premier visits parliament, stresses need to hold on to unity

Manama, May 2 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa paid tribute today to the Representatives Council Speaker and members for their cooperation with the government to serve the public interest and attain set up goals. He was speaking as he paid a visit today to the Representatives Council where he met with its Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh, the Deputy Speakers of the Representatives Council and members. "I've come here to extend thanks and appreciation to the Representatives Council, our partners in national responsibility, for their cooperation with the government driven by the spirit of responsibility to achieve the public interest and attain forecast goals," HRH the Premier said, lauding the accomplishments of the legislative authority in terms of responsible democratic practice as well as legislative and monitoring role. HRH the Prime Minister urged MPs to remain united in confronting challenges and boost efforts in serving the nation and thwarting attempts of disrupting the democratic march. "Focusing efforts on the nation's progress and prosperity politically and economically is top priority," he asserted, urging to shun discourse leading to division. He underlined the government's unrelenting efforts to foster cooperation between the executive and legislative branches and remove all obstacles to it, particularly amid the current circumstances undergone by the world. "There is a dire need, more than ever before, for unity and for every national effort to steer the nation to the shore of safety," he affirmed. HRH the Premier called on all to remain vigilant and stay united, praising unity of the MPs which, he said, indicates unity of the people. He also urged to place the national interest above anything else, calling for concerted efforts to boost the national welfare and maximise achievements under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Representatives Council Speaker commended HRH the Premier's statesmanship, praising his open-door policy to fast-track the national parliamentary experience by promoting cooperation between the executive and legislative branches and reaching out to citizens' needs. He took pride in HRH the Premier's support to responsible freedom of expression as a core of the democratic march spearheaded by HM the King. "The exceptional political and economic challenges undergone by the region require more cooperation," he said, pointing out the danger of terrorism and the need to rally ranks in facing it. He thanked HRH the Prime Minister for the visit, wishing him abundant good health and happiness and more security and stability to Bahrain under the leadership of HM the King.